Interpretation Of Jain Ethics

Author(s): Charlotte Krause
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

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Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is the short outline of Jain Ethics which I wanted to place before you to-day. Though Jain Ethics is a subject which cannot possibly be exhausted in one lecture, still thus much will have become clear that Jain Ethics is the result as well as the basis of a high standard of Human Culture : Self-control, Non-injury, and Free Determination being its chief principles, and unselfish service, study, veneration of the really Great, purity, and sobriety being some of its categorical demands.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that this time-honou. red culture has not died out as yet : but is being carefully preserved by a community of enthusiastic ascetics as well as laymen, who, though small in number, still act an important part in Indian Society, especially in the North and West of India, by the esteemed position that many of its individuals occupy, and, last but not least, by the admirable way in which Modern Ascetics have understood to be active in the service of their faith, without trans. gressing the narrow limits of their monkhood.
I am, myself, deeply indebted to several of the venerable Svetambar Sadhus, especially late Shastravisharada Jainacharya Vijaya Dharma Suri, and his successor, Acharya Vijayendra Suri, for having enabled me to make a long and profound study of Jainism at the source, and I wish to thank him and his group of learned Sadhus most heartily, and to give expression to the hope that a long life may be granted to him and his Sadhus, to his spirit of benevolence, and to the noble culture of the Jainas too.
Everymans Prças, Madras.